10 Moments When You Should Update Your Insurance (Even if It’s Not Renewal Time)

Life changes fast—your insurance should too.

​Learn 10 key moments when you should update your home or auto insurance before renewal to stay properly protected.

---

Life moves fast—and your insurance should keep up. While most people wait until renewal time to review their policies, there are key life changes that should trigger an insurance update right away.Whether it’s a new car, a renovation, or someone moving in or out of your home, updating your policy at the right time ensures you stay protected—and avoid any surprises when it matters most.

Here are 10 common situations where you should call your insurance agent before your next renewal.

💪 1. You Renovate or Add Onto Your Home
Major updates like a new kitchen, bathroom, or square footage increase your home’s rebuild value. If your policy isn’t updated, you could be underinsured in a loss.

💡 Bonus tip: Let your agent know before renovations begin. Some carriers have restrictions on in-progress work.

🚗 2. You Buy, Sell, or Trade a Vehicle
Adding or removing a car should always be reported right away. Even if you're just test-driving or have a temporary plate, insurance needs to reflect any change in your vehicles.

👨‍👩‍👧 3. You Get Married or Someone Moves Into Your Household
Marriage or a new household member can affect your liability risk or who needs to be listed as a driver or named insured.

🚙 4. Someone Goes to College
If a child goes off to college without their vehicle you may be eligible for a discount on your auto policy for the child being away at school that could offer a savings you won't want to miss out on.

💼 5. You Purchase High-Value Items
Jewelry, collectibles, camera equipment, or firearms may need to be scheduled on your policy to be fully covered. Standard homeowners policies often limit theft coverage on these items.

🔎 Example: Most policies cap jewelry theft coverage at $1,500 unless scheduled separately.

🏡 6. You Start Renting Out a Room or Property
Renting out a portion of your home—even occasionally through Airbnb—may void parts of your homeowners coverage. Be sure to talk to your agent to explore landlord or short-term rental options.

📋 7. You Start a Home-Based Business
Selling baked goods, starting a daycare, or freelancing from home? Your homeowners policy may not cover business liability or inventory, so commercial or home business coverage could be needed.

🚚 8. You Move or Change Addresses
Even if your coverage moves with you temporarily, your rate and eligibility may change based on your new location, ZIP code, and property type.

🚧 9. You Have a Change in Occupancy
If your home becomes vacant, unoccupied, or is no longer your primary residence, it can affect your eligibility and claims coverage. Many carriers have vacancy exclusions.

⛔️ 10. You Experience a Major Life Change
Examples include:

• Divorce or separation
• Death of a policyholder or driver
• A newly licensed teen driver
• Significant income or asset changes (for umbrella coverage needs)

Even if it seems small, any change that affects your household, your property, or your liability exposure is worth reviewing with your agent.

📞 Final Thoughts
Insurance isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about making sure the protection you have matches your life as it is today. Waiting until renewal to make changes can leave gaps that cost you later.

👉 Need help reviewing your policy after a life change?

At Corin Insurance, we make it easy. Our team can help you understand your options and adjust your policy so you're never under—or over—covered.


Disclaimer:This blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or insurance advice. Coverage varies by policy, carrier, and state. Always consult with a licensed insurance agent to review your specific needs.